Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012
From: To: Community Affairs, Committee (SEN); Subject: Submission to the Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012 Date: Friday, 18 January 2013 6:30:42 PM
Please consider this email a formal submission by me to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2012.
The current disability system has many problems that need to be addressed.
The disability system does not work for us because it is a disjointed system that is incredibly difficult to navigate. There are different government levels involved and many different organisations involved. There is no clear way to ascertain what you are entitled to. It is underfunded, understaffed and disparate. When our daughter was first diagnosed with autism we went onto 6 waiting lists for services. Since then early intervention has had increased funding. We have recently spent 10 months applying for an Individual Services Plan so that we can try to tailor things we need specifically. This process was long, complicated and at the end of it all we have one on paper but there is no funding for it so no services are being funded.
The main features of the NDIS that will make a difference to the community are:
- People with a disability can choose the types of support to use,
- The ability to receive services when needed and in the way that suits the person,
- Increased ability to coordinate services to suit the “whole” person/family
The most important services for the NDIS to provide are:
- Support for families and carers,
- Flexible in-home/outside home respite,
- Case management,
- Planning and coordination
I support the introduction of the NDIS.
I believe it should not matter how you became disabled for you to have access to equipment, services, employment, respite and support. We are approaching 50 and it does not get any easier to look after our daughter. We want to know she will be looked after when we can no longer do it. Parents should have access to shared care options and not be forced into having to relinquish their child. It is a social justice and equity issue. I think this Insurance scheme is a major social change along the lines of Medicare and it’s time has come.
I agree for my submission to be made public
Regards, Mrs Sharon Hayes